IDZ Technologies Inc., located in San Antonio, TX, is an industry leader in automatic Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tool and asset related tracking and management solutions. The RFID products from IDZ perform fully automated functions in inventory management, provide real time tracking, and facilitate decision making which helps to remove human errors while increasing operational efficiency and maximizing the utilization of resources, assets and equipment. Their specific system allows users the ability to track items with GPS, RFID and other technologies, as well as control physical access to tools and inventory items and to create detailed reports with information from the RFID trackers. IDZ’s RFID products are used by the US Air Force, and in diverse industries such as logistics, oil/gas/energy, and automotive.

IDZ came to the International Trade Center in 2012 when they were facing the challenge of exporting their RFID products. Since their products are used in the aerospace industry, export compliance is a special concern. Through several advising engagements, Senior International Business Advisor Monica Alcoz helped them to understand and comply with complicated US export control regulations and identify correct Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCN) for their products. Additional support for the company has been made through market research, marketing and promotion advising and training.

“When it comes to export control, there is always a huge sense of responsibility, but at the same time, urgency,” said Adalberto Terán, CEO of IDZ. “Many questions arise and even more if you are innovating and creating new technologies for a very complex and controlled industry like aerospace. Monica Alcoz and the International Trade Center team were a professional, timely, and invaluable resource who worked quickly and with deep knowledge to support our decisions.”

As a result of the assistance received, IDZ has expanded into new markets and now exports to Canada, Europe and Oceania. Additionally, their products are being used in new ways, which include tracking miners, checking in/out weapons for police training facilities, as well as tracking for special equipment such as tablets and laptops.

“We anticipate continuous growth in exports of our products and the need of more support from our friends at the International Trade Center,” said Terán. Moving ahead, the Center is continuing to assist IDZ through market research and training.

To learn more about IDZ Technologies Inc., visit www.idztechnologies.com.

In December of 2012, Floyd Akers, Executive Director of the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation (PCDC), and Ron Reid, CFO of 130 Commerce Center, LLC were referred to TIBA (Texas International Business Accelerator) — a program developed by the International Trade Center to provide high-quality advising services for foreign-direct-investment clients — for assistance on the new 130 Commerce Center, a 160-acre master-planned commercial development in Pflugerville, Texas. The planned commercial development will offer a progressive mix of industrial, office, and retail space.

Strategically located near the new SH 130 toll highway, 130 Commerce Center, LLC has been conceived to exemplify the principles and best practices of mixed-use development, clean energy, and sustainability. It will provide high quality, state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure to become a leader in the commercial real estate market in Texas.

An EB-5 Regional Center referred the team at 130 Commerce Center, LLC and PCDC to Sr. International Business Consultant Jaime A. Martinez of TIBA. The first set of projects completed in 2013 was to assist in qualifying the development as a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) — an area with at least 150% of the national unemployment rate — and to develop their investment business plan in order to qualify for the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) EB-5 Foreign Investor Pilot Program. Both the TEA designation and the investment business plan are needed to approve the project for the EB-5 program which requires that: 1) foreign investors commit $500,000 – $1 million, or more, in a U.S. business and 2) create 10 jobs per investor; in return investors are eligible to obtain residency after 2 years, and may be able to obtain citizenship after 5 years with a full return on their investment. The EB-5 foreign investment funds will assist for the construction of the 130 Commerce Center developments and other infrastructure needs.

Jaime and his team worked closely with Floyd Akers and Ron Reid to perform a study of the development area for a TEA designation as well as the creation of an investment business plan to provide to the USCIS in support of their EB-5 application.

Once off the ground, 130 Commerce Center, LLC is expected to generate hundreds of new jobs in Pflugerville in the coming years. With TIBA’s extensive experience in the EB-5 Foreign Investor Pilot Program, they look forward to helping the City of Pflugerville, and others, generate many new jobs and further capital investment. TIBA is planning more foreign-direct-investment projects with 130 Commerce Center, LLC and PCDC in the coming few years.

To learn more about 130 Commerce Center, visit https://www.pfdevelopment.com/site-selectors/industrial-parks/p/item/170/130-commerce-center.

Against the Odds, Creating New Spirts and Opening New Markets.

Since 1996 Mexican tequila producer Corporacion Licorera 1910 SA. has been exporting premium tequilas to the US. in 2005 they estabished Casa 1921 LLC in the US to more efficiently import and distribute their product to new markets.

Casa 1921s first product in the US was Tequila 1921, a 100% agave tequila available in blanco, reposado and Grand Reposado or “Reserva Especial” versions. The brand quickly gained recognition as a premium tequila.

Though Tequila 1921 quickly made a name for itself, there were setbacks in the late 1990s because of blue agave shortage. The company’s leadership used this challenge to invent a new product they called “1921 Tequila Cream” a great combination of Tequila and special cream. The uniqueness of 1921 Tequila Cream opened a huge potential market for the company.

“To mix tequila with cream is not an easy process,” said Juan Francisco Collado, founder. ” It took us several years to develop the concept, and many more to come out with a stable product.”

There is no question as to the success of 1921 Tequila and 1921 Tequila Cream, these products have been awarded various recognitions. Some of the awards include: in 2010 the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America – 2011 Annual Convention awarded two Gold and a Silver for Tequila 1921. In 2010 The Polished Palate, Spirits of Mexico, awarded Gold and Best of Categories. In 2009 The Polished Palate, Spirits of Mexico, awarded the Gold, Bronze and Best of Categories. In 2002 Chicago Beverage Tasting Institute highly Rated 1921 Tequila.

Recently, after 8 years of opening the road through the alcohol legal and distribution systems in United States, “Casa 1921” became the exclusive importer for other prestige Spirits brands from Europe and Latin America.

The International Trade Center has been working with Casa 1921 LLC since 2008. Sr. International Trade Consultant Berenice Carmona has provided Juan Francisco Collado, and Anahi Rivera, partner, with in-depth tequila and spirits market analysis reports. “Berenice Carmona, has opened for us new doors and her constant advice has been always a guide for important decisions.” Juan Francisco Collado.

Today Casa 1921 LLC products are sold in 32 U.S. states and it has reached international markets in other countries such as Russia, China, Canada and other European Countries. Their products can also be found in airports, cruise lines and duty-free stores.

To learn more about CASA 1921, visit www.tequila1921.com.

China imported $740 million in raw, un-cut timber from the United States in 2012. However, China is not the easiest market for U.S. companies seeking to supply China with U.S. timber. It is even more daunting for new exporters and even more so if the novice exporter’s main business had little to do with forestry products. Despite these odds, Austin, Texas based Cypress Creek Hardwoods successfully established a customer base in China and is receiving on-going orders from Chinese wood distributors and fabricators.

Doug Smith, Assitant Director of the International Trade Center, helped Cypress Creek Hardwook when they begin their process to export to China with market research and planning before any Chinese buyers were approached. Cypress combined trade infomation provided by Mr. Smith with Chinese industry information provided by the U.S. Hardwood Exporters Association. The business model they discovered was to buy kiln-dried hardwood from small, non-exporting timber mills and to sell directly to small Chinese furniture and cabinet manufacturers in China.

With suppliers in place, the initial visit to China proved the target market to be wrong because small Chinese companies did not have the capability and skills to directly import. Mark was quickly able to identify the right buyers and received his first order shortly after returning to Austin. Today, after four visits to China and 50,000 miles of driving to visit suppliers, Cypress Creek Hardwoods has a small set of regular Chinese customers. Longer term, Mark also sees considerable potential expanding into additional markets in Southeast Asia.

Cypress has proven adept at overcoming problems along the way, including trade financing and logistical issues. Success to date is the result of quickly recognizing potential barriers and adapting to the new circumstances. Recovery of the U.S. housing market has made it harder to find high quality timber at a price acceptable to Chinese customers. However, the company has been successful in finding medium-size suppliers interested in working with Cypress Creek long-term.

The International Trade Center has worked with Cypress from the start by providing some initial training on export finance and payment methods and logistics, introducing Cypress to U.S. Export Credit Insurance, and providing on-going market intelligence trade data.

From Garage Business to International Markets
In 1940, George and his wife, Arthurine Renfro, co-founded George Renfro Food Company in the garage of their north Fort Worth home. In their new venture, they distributed packaged spices and pepper sauces throughout Fort Worth and the surrounding areas.

Today, with sons Jack and Bill, and grandchildren Doug, Becky and James active in the day-to-day operations, Mrs. Renfro’s label and Mrs. Renfro’s products now include more than 30 salsas, sauces and relishes, which are available at supermarkets, gourmet shops, gift shops and fruit and vegetable stands in all 50 states and now as well in export markets.

In 2007, opportunities to expand into foreign markets were too good to ignore. Doug Renfro, President of the company, had the vision to further his export knowledge in order to continue the company’s fast pace growth by participating in the customized Export Training Program (MET) offered by the International Trade Center of San Antonio, sponsored by the Foreign Agricultural Services and the Southern U.S. Trade Association in partnership with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Through this ten module training, Senior International Business Consultant, Monica Alcoz, walked Mr. Renfro through the step-by-step process of exporting, from international market entry strategies to learning on how to avoid misunderstandings by the right use of the International Commercial Terms.

“After years of exploratory work, traveling, and networking, our export business has really taken off in the past few years. Throughout this experience, it’s been very comforting to know that I had the ability to fall back on the resources and expertise of Monica and the International Trade Center,” said Doug Renfro.

Since then, Ms. Alcoz continues to provide Renfro Foods with on-going support in export issues such as potential export markets, import regulations and standards, specialty food distributors and importers worldwide; checking up on potential leads, quoting their products for international buyers, as well as on how to protect themselves against nonpaym ent. The company has been able to identify further export opportunities and take advantage of the SUSTA, Market Access Program, which reimburses companies up to 50% of international marketing expenses. With the ongoing International Trade Center export assistance Renfro Foods has been able to successfully expand exports to Canada, England, Spain and the Caribbean. The export run of success continues with their first order to China scheduled to depart from their dock in September of 2013.

To learn more about Renfro Foods, visit www.renfrofoods.com.

Bringing Remote Solar and Uniterruptible Power Supplies to Industry
Connexa Energy, located in Boerne, Texas, is a manufacturer and distributor of remote and industrial power products and accessories for original equipment manufacturers (OEM’s), integrators, distributors and resellers across the country and around the world. Connexa Energy specializes in remote solar and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) backup applications with internal design/engineering, internal assemblies, and its own line of industrial power products.

Sr. International Business Consultant Alberto Rodriguez-Baez contacted Connexa Energy as a result of his business development efforts in the Hill Country. During the initial meeting, a market research project was set up to identify potential new clients for Connexa Energy in the Middle East. The research and consulting project’s results included the wish list of potential new clients in the Middle East, recommendations for international business development and marketing, as well as suggestions regarding communication channels for the products’ promotion abroad. As a result, Connexa Energy was able to reach out into new markets in the aforementioned region.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Alberto Rodriguez-Baez on the market research and consulting project for our products in the Middle East. Alberto was not only professional, but has exemplary communication skills making our project a very productive experience. He also has the overall business experience required to understand our needs and ensure the project outcomes were highly beneficial to our firm. He went above and beyond to help us before, during, and even well after the project” said Michael Postel, Connexa Energy ‘s Owner and President.

A second consulting and research project was conducted to identify potential distributors for a second product line.

“Alberto has been a great resource to us and has proven to be a very experienced professional in international trade”, added Mr. Postel. “We are already working with him to train our new sales manager regarding international business development and how to penetrate foreign markets effectively. With the market research data Alberto and his team continue to offer, Connexa Energy is anticipating having an established sales and distribution location in Central America to serve the region more effectively by the end of 2013.”

To learn more about Connexa Energy, visit http://www.connexaenergy.com

Guillén International is an international consulting company based in San Antonio, Texas that specializes in providing international marketing and logistics services. For the last twenty years, the owner Lorena Guillén has been helping small businesses succeed in global markets. With a philosophy of excellence and quality, this Texas-based firm is one of a kind.

Born and raised in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Guillén is an accomplished business executive, with more than twenty years of senior leadership experience in operations and consulting. Her combination of business vision and a passion for international trade, logistics, and worldwide sourcing has been invaluable to many small businesses in the region.

In 2011 Guillén became a client of the International Trade Center in order to meet growing international trade challenges in her business. That’s when she began working with Sr. International Business Consultant Monica Alcoz, whose consultation helped her identify and check up on various leads for sourcing from Asia that she was later able to develop and build relationships with. On the advice of Alcoz, Guillén participated in San Antonio City Councilwoman Elisa Chan’s San Antonio – Wuxi China Trade Mission. While there she visited and started partnerships with several Chinese factories.

Through the company’s participation in the International Trade Center’s training and events, Guillén has been able to continue learning about new opportunities to grow her business. Commenting on her work with the International Trade Center, Guillén notes: “Utilizing the resources that the International Trade Center provides for all our international needs has been the most evident decision made. I encourage businesses to learn what the International Trade Center has to offer… a world of knowledge!”

In March of 2012, Guillén began a new endeavor: opening her first plant nursery. What started out as a hobby has quickly grown into Guillén Nursery. She is now ready to expand to a 2 acre second location and is projected to expand to a third location next year. The goal of Guillén Nursery is to expand globally. She is already planning to import seeds of some of the beautiful and exotic plants and flowers she saw during her trips through Asia. She is also working on the distribution of Solid Rain, a U.S. manufactured product that has the unique property of expanding the supply of water to plants up to six months. The future for Guillén and her ventures is bright. The International Trade Center will be ready to help.

Founded in 2009, GreenStar is an innovative USA-based company designing, manufacturing, and distributing highly advanced, eco-friendly, and cost-saving light emitting diode (LED) lighting systems to municipalities and commercial businesses around the world.

greenstar LED light
GreenStar is dedicated to delivering outstanding quality, an innovative product line and excellent customer service. Its team is comprised of award-winning and recognized entrepreneurs, innovators and professionals who are passionate about leading the lighting revolution and preserving our planet through the efficient use of resources. It is this common drive that brings them together and allows them to lend their cumulative wisdom and experience to this fascinating new industry.

A highly professional team, patented designs and technologies, top of the line components, and outstanding customer service is how Green Star LED strives to provide the best LED lighting solutions in the industry.

GreenStar contacted the International Trade Center in 2011 to request assistance in researching potential new clients in Mexico, Central, and South America. Alberto Rodriguez-Baez, Sr. International Business Consultant, led this consulting and research project, providing Green Star with lists of potential distributors in the regions mentioned above, suggestions for communications channels for the promotion of the products abroad, and in-depth strategic industry intelligence. As a result, GreenStar was able to reach out into new countries like Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Argentina, and expand its existing footprint in Mexico and Brazil.

“Our consultant, Alberto Rodriguez-Baez, is very knowledgeable in international business and very helpful with his research team. The information provided about potential distributors abroad is invaluable. He went above and beyond of what we initially requested. He has kept in touch after our initial project and has provided us timely and useful information,” said Gabriel Senior, GreenStar’s CFO.

A second consulting and research project for identifying potential distributors in additional countries was conducted, resulting in new distributors in Panama, Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Uruguay.

“We are looking forward to continue growing our international distributor network and we are excited to have a strategic ally in the International Trade Center, whose services are invaluable for our global expansion plans,” added Mr. Senior.

To learn more about GreenStar LED, visit www.greenstarled.com

In 2009, Carlos Silva saw an opportunity to sell used heavy equipment to the construction and mining sectors in Latin America, particularly to companies in his native Colombia. His experience on dealerships and international trade as well as the growing demand generated by major investments to develop the construction, mining, oil and gas industries in several Latin American countries, especially those that fairly quickly recovered after the 2008 global recession, helped identified the business potential for used equipment.

USATEQ was founded in February 2010 following seven or eight months of prior planning and research to satisfy customers’ equipment needs by selling the right equipment of the best-known manufacturers at a competitive price and with the following goals:

• To sell used heavy equipment with the initial focus on the Colombian market, with plans to expand it into the Peruvian, Chilean and Mexican markets once established in Colombia.

• To sell quality used equipment to build a reputation as a reliable supplier.

• To focus on value added deals (one-stop-shop) and customer service as the foundation for sustained growth.

The path to success has not been easy and required Carlos to stay focus on the business plan that he believed would lead to success. Last year, he partnered up with Nick Tummers and Nora Blanc to help pursue and achieve those goals. One major challenge in this process has been establishing visibility and trustworthiness for an unknown company with customers, vendors and lenders. A larger problem was finding access to capital. Persistence, careful planning and ability to adjust the course of action allowed USATEQ to largely overcome those barriers.

The International Trade Center has worked with USATEQ since the start-up phase by providing market research on the Colombian, Peruvian and Chilean markets, potential customers in each country, guidance on the export process, and helping the company connect with other organizations that could assist it.

Today, the company has had a number of strong export successes and is viewed by current customers and many potential customers as a reliable, viable equipment and parts provider because USATEQ considers one-stop-shop deals for quality equipment and spare parts as projects and the company manages them as such regardless of whether the deal is for a machine or a spare part.

One of those customers is MAMUT de Colombia, a leader of oversized cargo handling and transport in Latin America, for which USATEQ adds value by providing wheel loaders, forklifts, boom trucks and spare parts. Another case is an excavator for AE Explanaciones, a growing company in the earth moving business. For TABLEMAC, the largest plywood manufacturer in Colombia, USATEQ provided a grapple (major component) for a stationary crane to handle logs at their new facility. With these customers and others, USATEQ is currently evaluating heavy equipment options and parts for their fleet improvement and growth.

USATEQ has a strong future that only hard work and vision could realize.

Bespoke Group LLC, based in Irving, Texas, is a leading exporter of high quality dried pulses, or legumes, such as dried lentils, peas, and chickpeas. The annual global trade of pulses is a $3 billion industry.

The United States is the second largest exporter of dried peas and third for dried lentils and accounts for about 15 percent of global exports.

Bespoke was established in 2004 with an initial focus on the Indian market, the world’s largest importer of dried lentils and peas. While India remains a major focus, Bespoke now exports to a network of buyers in more than 35 countries.
As commodities, pulses are very price sensitive, but the company has nonetheless developed strong, long-term relationships as a quality shipper to its customers world-wide. Other major markets for Bespoke include the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, South America and Russia, but the company has customers in every continent.

The company is currently involved in a new venture to supply a branded product from the farms of America all the way to consumers. The brand, American Topnotch, will be sold in Indian supermarkets. The first product, Topnotch Premium Green Peas, is being launched with a campaign that stresses its healthful benefits and U.S. origin. (Visit www.pulsehealth.in for more info.)

Other American Top Notch products will be introduced during the next year. Initial results are promising and suggest Indian consumers are favorably disposed to American-grown pulses. This is a first American company to implement its innovative concept “from farm to consumer” in the pulse industry.

Bespoke has partnered with More Megastores of Aditya Birla Retail Limited, a Aditya Birla Group venture. Bespoke recently signed up with the Cash ’n’ Carry chain called Metro and has also started working with Bharti-Walmart in India. Bespoke’s pulses are available in major metro cities of India with its distribution network set up to deliver in 240 locations in India as the company continues to expand its retail presence in India.

Finding customers abroad does not appear to be the largest hurdle facing Bespoke. The major hurdle for the company is frequent foreign exchange movements, a situation which particularly affects commodity exports. A slight appreciation of the dollar can quickly move a good foreign customer to a Canadian or Turkish supplier. The dollar is working to Bespoke’s benefit at the moment.

The SBDC International Trade Center has been working with the Bespoke Group since 2009 when the company entered the entered the USDA’s Minority Export Training program for small food exporters. Bespoke has benefited from the valuable strategic information and reports provided by the ITC on target markets,” Divyesh Patel, CEO, said.

To learn more about Bespoke Group LLC visit: http://www.globalagco.com/